You think that steel is non-living and was never part of a living thing.

You are correct!

Steel is manufactured from iron ore which is mined from rocks in certain areas of the Earth's surface. Iron ore, which is mostly iron oxide, is treated in a blast furnace to produce iron. The iron is then use in steel manufacture. (Note: Small amounts of carbon are added to iron when steel is made. It is very likely that this carbon once was part of a living thing!)

Now try question 3

© Shirley Burchill 2009